National Consultant: Gender Advisor to the Ministry of Interior – (Re-Advertised)

Location : Dili with possible travel in the municipalities, Timor Leste

Application Deadline : 31-Aug-23 (Midnight New York, USA)

Additional Category : Gender Equality

Type of Contract : Individual Contract

Post Level : National Consultant

Languages Required : English

Duration of Initial Contract : 1 Year

Expected Duration of Assignment : 1 Year

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

UN Women is the UN organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide. UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; fosters women’s empowerment and equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, peace and security. UN Women also coordinates and promotes the UN system’s work in advancing gender equality, and in all deliberations and agreements linked to the 2030 Agenda. The entity works to position gender equality as fundamental to the Sustainable Development Goals, and a more inclusive world.

UN Women’s goal in Timor-Leste is to promote women’s human rights and gender equality as the country works towards sustaining and furthering achievements in stability and development. This includes efforts to ensure women’s right to live free from any form of violence, efforts to advance women’s economic empowerment and women’s leadership and participation in support of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda, and advance international agreements and commitments related to gender equality and women’s empowerment, including through adequate planning and budgeting.

The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (UNSCR 1325) was adopted unanimously on 31 October 2000. This landmark resolution has become an important normative framework for advancing the crucial roles of women and girls in prevention and resolution of conflicts, peacebuilding, humanitarian response and post-conflict recovery. It reiterates the importance of the equal participation and full involvement of women in all efforts for building sustainable peace. The Government of Timor-Leste, through the leadership of the Ministry of Interior, adopted the first National Action Plan for the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (NAP 1325) on Women, Peace and Security (2016-2020), and has demonstrated its commitment to achieve gender equality, and promote women’s leadership and participation in national security and sustaining peace. The Government of Timor-Leste, with the support of UN Women and civil society organizations, has developed the second-generation NAP 1325 (2023-2027), and UN Women stands ready to support the second NAP 1325 implementation.

UN Women, through the WPS Programme, provides support to the Government of Timor-Leste in implementing its commitments on promoting gender equality and women’s rights in line with international, regional and national normative and legal frameworks, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and its Concluding Observation 2023, Beijing Platform for Action, UNSCR 1325, National Strategic Plan (2011-2030) and the NAP 1325. In partnership with the Ministry of Interior, UN Women has been providing technical support to national security institutions and line ministries in the NAP 1325 structure including Ministry of Interior, in strengthening their capacities to plan, implement, finance, monitor and report their commitments in the NAP 1325 at both national and sub-national levels, in collaboration with the civil society organizations. In the past decade, to promote gender mainstreaming in national security policies and reforms and advance women’s meaningful leadership in decision-making processes at all levels, toward accountable policy implementation, gender-responsive conflict prevention and peacebuilding, and to promote services that meet the security needs of women and girls in Timor-Leste, UN Women has been providing technical support tailored to the local political economy context to ensure women’s voices and concerns are visible in peace and security policy formulation, implementation and monitoring, and promoting collaborative partnership and coalition-building among state, civil society and development partners for enhanced impact of conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and protection efforts across sectors.

In November 2022, the ASEAN agreed, in principle, to admit Timor-Leste as the 11th member of the ASEAN. A road map for the full membership of Timor-Leste in the ASEAN was adopted in May 2023. Timor-Leste demonstrates its full commitment in advancing regional WPS agenda and promoting the WPS localization in Timor-Leste. UN Women continues its support to Timor-Leste in preparing the accession to the ASEAN, and implementing the second NAP 1325 contributing to ASEAN’s Regional Plan of Action on WPS. In addition, UN Women works with Timor-Leste to promote and strengthen regional and cross-sectoral exchange of experience, lessons learnt and good practices on WPS and humanitarian actions.

To support the Ministry of Interior to further integrate and implement its commitments in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment, including WPS agenda, UN Women, through an in-house Gender Advisor (National Consultant), will provide expert policy advice and technical assistance in conducting in-depth gender analysis and strengthening institutional capacity of Ministry of Interior and the NAP 1325 Secretariat in planning, implementing, financing, coordinating, monitoring and evaluating the NAP 1325, in collaboration with other line ministries and civil society organizations

Duties and Responsibilities

The overall objective of the proposed consultancy is to provide technical assistance and capacity development support to the Ministry of Interior in planning, implementing, financing, coordinating and monitoring the WPS agenda, and provide policy advice on gender mainstreaming in compliance of the legal frameworks to CEDAW and UNSCR 1325, among other gender equality commitments.

•  Scope of work/Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of UN Women Head of Office, and direct supervision by the UN Women WPS Programme Manager, and in coordination with Ministry of Interior, the assignment of the National Consultant (Gender Advisor) will include but not necessarily be limited to the following:

•  Provide assistance to Ministry of Interior and its Secretariat of State for Civil Protection in the official approval and launch of the second NAP 1325 (2023-2027).
•  Conduct in-depth gender analysis, and provide policy advice to Ministry of Interior, Secretariat of State for Civil Protection, Civil Protection Authority and the NAP 1325 Secretariat, and jointly develop a result-based NAP 1325 implementation plan at national and sub-national levels.
•  Provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Interior and the NAP 1325 Secretariat in supporting other line ministries to identify, plan and implement thematic activities assigned, under the second NAP 1325 in Timor-Leste.
•  Provide technical support to the Ministry of Interior in developing the implementation, monitoring and reporting, and coordination mechanism of the NAP 1325, and support capacity development of NAP 1325 focal points from Ministry of Interior and other line ministries (including personnel at both decision-making and technical levels) as champions for gender equality in NAP WPS planning, implementation, coordination, advocacy, monitoring and reporting. This will include development of tools, materials and workplan, and regular trainings and knowledge building events.
•  Conduct in-depth analysis and provide policy advice to the Ministry of Interior and national security forces in developing strategies and policies to increase women’s participation and leadership in national security sector, and apply WPS lens in addressing conflicts and security challenges (including non-traditional security threats) in Timor-Leste in a conflict-sensitive and gender-responsive approach.
•  Draft recommendations on key gender components to be included in relevant legislation regulating dispute resolution processes, and how it might improve existing practices in the targeted communities.
•  Provide gender analysis to the Ministry of Interior, and elaborate gender-responsive propositions to the proposed and current law, policies and normative frameworks developed by the Ministry and its coordinated central executive bodies. Support the Ministry of Interior in raising institutional gender awareness and its capacity in mainstreaming gender in laws and policies.
•  Provide support in analysis and assessments, initiated by Ministry of Interior in relation to implementation of WPS agenda.
•  Synthesize comments from consultations and provide recommendations clearly articulating the thought process, and link to CEDAW, UNSCR 1325 and women’s human rights, drawing on international best practice.
•  Support advocacy of civil society partners to influence policy development on key laws identified in relation to Women Peace and Security and CEDAW. This includes support to development of key messaging for effective advocacy and organization of submission of recommendations to the Government of Timor-Leste including Ministry of Interior and the National Parliament.
•  Organize workshops and/or dialogues to promote knowledge and expertise exchange and share good practices amongst the existing ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste on advancing the WPS agenda.
•  Provide support to UN Women in the continued technical leadership and networking for UN Women’s strategic posture.
•  Duration of the assignment

The total duration of the contract will be for one year.

•  Expected Deliverables

The consultant is expected to submit a Monthly Report with the following:

•  Monthly Workplan along with clear timelines for identified areas of support for the Ministry of Interior, Secretariat of State for Civil Protection, Civil Protection Authority and the NAP 1325 Secretariat (focusing on WPS). The Monthly Workplan should be designed and planned in coordination with Ministry of Interior and UN Women at the beginning of each month, and the Workplan should be shared by 5th of each month. The final Monthly Workplan should be attached as an Annex in the Monthly Report.
•  Monthly progress reports against proposed Workplans, including the reports documenting logistics support and coordination required for meetings/discussions with Parliamentarians and/or government partners, as well as notes from meetings and events.
•  Documentation of policy advice and technical support provided to Ministry of Interior and other line ministries.
•  Workplan, tools and materials developed for the knowledge exchange events, dialogues, capacity development activities and trainings. Reports documenting the detailed results of the events and trainings organized, with the analysis of the pre- and post- tests for all trainings.
•  Inputs
  •  The consultant is expected to use her/his own computer, presentation equipment and software for related tasks.
  •  The Ministry of Interior and UN Women will provide the Consultant with working space (a desk and a chair), and necessary documents for desk review.
  •  UN Women will provide transportation to the other municipalities for activities required in the duty of its function.
  •  UN Women will provide Daily Subsistence Allowance to cover expenses outside of Dili when applicable, and upon reception of a Travel Authorization.
  •  The cost of telecommunication and transportation within Dili will be covered by the consultant.

Competencies

Core Values:

•  Respect for Diversity
•  Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
•  Creative Problem Solving
•  Effective Communication
•  Inclusive Collaboration
•  Stakeholder Engagement

Leading by Example Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf

Functional Competencies:

•  Strong commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women, with demonstrated experience of researching or working on gender issues;
•  Strong research and writing skills, with strong analytical skills and creative thinking;
•  Ability to think and work logically and work precisely with attention to detail;
•  Initiative, sound judgment and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members of different national and cultural backgrounds;
•  Previous experience (also volunteer experience) from the non-profit sector is an advantage.
•  Ability to multi-task and address competing priorities
•  Ability to produce quality deliverables in a timely manner
•  Strong computer skills, including Word, Excel, and Power Point

Required Skills and Experience

•  Performance evaluation:

Contractor’s performance will be evaluated against such criteria as: timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered.

•  Required skills and experience:

Education:

•  Master’s degree in political science, Public Administration, Social Science, Law, Gender and Development or other relevant field with 7 years of relevant experience, or Bachelor’s degree with 9 years of relevant experience.

Experience:

•  7 years of experience (or bachelor’s degree, 9 years) of work on gender equality, women’s rights, and public policy;
•  Proven experience with gender analysis of legal policy frameworks, especially on WPS, governance, conflict prevention and resolution, Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, and trafficking in persons;
•  Proven experience in capacity development of government institutions and civil society organizations on CEDAW, UNSCR 1325 and SDGs;
•  Experience with facilitation of high-level dialogues, trainings, consultations, including with Government counterparts in Timor-Leste and in the Region.

Language and other skills:

•  Proficiency in oral and written English and Tetum, knowledge of Portuguese is an advantage.
•  Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, IT tools, ability to use Internet and email.
•  Submission of application

Interested candidates are requested to submit electronic application to UNDP Job Site no later than 31th August 2023.

•  Submission of package:
•  Cover letter & Copy of the latest academic certificate
•  CVs or P11, including contact information for 3 references;
•  Financial proposal. The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount per month and/ or the daily professional fee in USD and other related admin & travel costs.

Please note that the submission package needs to be uploaded in one file/ document to UNDP Job site

Selected candidates will need to submit prior to commencement of work:

•  UN Women P-11 form, available her from http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment
•  A statement from a medical doctor of ‘good health and fit for travel’.
•  For any travel outside of Dili, UN Women will require the consultant to provide the certificate proving completion of BSafe training (see trip.dss.un.org).
•  Evaluation

Applications will be evaluated based on the Cumulative analysis.

•  Technical Qualification (100 points) weight; [70%]
•  Financial Proposal (100 points) weight; [30%]

A two-stage procedure is utilised in evaluating the proposals, with evaluation of the technical proposal being completed prior to any price proposal being compared. Only the price proposal of the candidates who passed the minimum technical score of 70% of the obtainable score of 100 points in the technical qualification evaluation will be evaluated.

•  Technical qualification evaluation criteria:

The total number of points allocated for the technical qualification component is 100. The technical qualification of the individual is evaluated based on following technical qualification evaluation criteria: Technical Evaluation Criteria

Obtainable Score

Education

20 %

Experience and skills

60 %

Language and other skills

20 %

Total Obtainable Score

100 %

Only the candidates who have attained a minimum of 70% of total points will be considered as technically qualified candidate.

•  Financial/Price Proposal evaluation:
•  Only the financial proposal of candidates who have attained a minimum of 70% score in the technical evaluation will be considered and evaluated.
•  The total number of points allocated for the price component is 100.
•  The maximum number of points will be allotted to the lowest price proposal that is opened/ evaluated and compared among those technical qualified candidates who have attained a minimum of 70% score in the technical evaluation. All other price proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.
•  Payments

Payments for this consultancy will be based on the achievement of each deliverable and certification that each has been satisfactorily completed. Payments will not be based on the number of days worked but on the completion of each stated deliverable within the indicated timeframes.

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.